9th March 2023 (Day 6) of the Legislative Council 2023,

Session for Ministry of Home Affairs

YB Chong raised concerns about workers not showing up for work or quitting abruptly, and it is important for our workforce to understand and abide by the laws, especially if we plan to send them to work outside of Brunei. Continued non-compliance could damage our reputation and make it more challenging for future job seekers to secure work.

She suggested hosting workshops on Employment Order, 2009 in collaboration with relevant agencies to educate first-time job seekers on their rights and obligations as employees. This would make it easier for employers to comply with labor laws and regulations, without relying solely on enforcement measures. Additionally, YB Chong mentioned that at least 15% of inspected premises did not register local employees with TAP, and emphasized the importance of ensuring that employees and employers are aware of their obligations under labor laws and regulations.

Response

Ministry of Home Affairs

The Employment Order ensures that all contracts are signed and monitored by the Labor Department. However, as suggested earlier, there could be a joint effort with TAP to ensure compliance KPIs are met during inspections. The Labor Department will assess this matter and it is a good suggestion to ensure shared resources are utilized, including the Labor Department, TAP, and others.

Please refer to the hansard at this link for the full transcript.